JP3318177B2 - Tray carrier and its use - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray transport vehicle (hereinafter, abbreviated as "transport vehicle") for transporting a flat rectangular tray, and a method of using the same. The present invention relates to improvement of a transport vehicle for the purpose of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a hospital, for example, dishes containing cooked food are usually placed on a flat rectangular tray, and the tray is transported (served) from a kitchen to a sickroom by a transport vehicle to serve a patient. We have lunch. The eaten tableware is mounted again on the transport vehicle together with the tray and transported to the washing place (lower table). In particular, in response to recent demands for proper temperature and timely feeding, transport vehicles tend to employ ones that have a heating and cooling function and can feed individual foods at an appropriate temperature.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned transport vehicle having a heating / cooling function requires a relatively large space since it has auxiliary equipment for heating / cooling, and as a result, it is difficult to secure a parking space for the vehicle. Had become. In particular, in a medical facility such as a hospital, it is desirable to use a dedicated carrier for each of the serving table and the lower table for hygiene management. Was a problem.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by providing a transport vehicle capable of reducing the parking space when not in use, it is possible to suppress an increase in parking space due to an increase in the number of transport vehicles, and as a result, It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to use a dedicated carrier for each of a serving table and a lower table even in a limited space.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a transporting vehicle for transporting a tray having a rectangular flat plate shape.
A lower bar extending horizontally, and a pair of pillars respectively erected at both ends of the lower bar and connected to both ends of the lower bar in a state where the lower ends thereof are projected below the lower bar. A pair of pillars, which are formed in a columnar shape, extend horizontally below the pillars so as to be orthogonal to the lower bar, and are connected to the lower ends of the pillars at the center thereof, respectively. Attached wheels, above the connection position of the lower bar of the column, mounted at regular intervals parallel to the pillar and along the longitudinal direction of the column,
A plurality of pairs of rails that support the tray horizontally inserted between the columns from both ends; and a space formed between the legs and the rails, the lower part of another carrier. By inserting the bar, the plurality of transport vehicles,
In the space formed between the columns of each tray carrier,
It is characterized in that the rails can be stored while being inserted into each other.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a method of using the above-mentioned transport vehicle for transporting a tray on which tableware is placed. That is, the method of using the transport vehicle according to the present invention, during the lower table, while transporting to the washing place with a tray on which the tableware after feeding is mounted on the transport vehicle, except during the lower table, By inserting the lower bar of the other transport vehicle into the space formed between the pillar and the rail, a plurality of the transport vehicles were formed between the columns of the individual transport vehicles. It is characterized in that the rails are stored in a space in a state where they are inserted into each other.

Here, it is desirable that a protection member projecting from the rail toward the opposed pedestal side is attached to a side surface of the pedestal facing the opposed pedestal side. In addition, it is desirable that the vertical interval between the rails attached to the column can be arbitrarily changed.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a carrier 1 according to the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 2 denotes a columnar lower bar. The lower bar 2 extends horizontally, and a pair of columns 3 is erected on both ends thereof. These pillars 3
, With its lower end protruding below the lower bar 2,
Both ends of the lower bar 2 are connected to each other, and the upper end of the column 3 is connected to an upper bar 4 for reinforcement that extends substantially parallel to the lower bar 2.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a pair of pillars having a columnar shape. These pillars 5 extend horizontally below the columns 3 so as to be orthogonal to the lower bar 2, and are respectively provided at the lower ends of the columns 3 at the center. Are linked. Further, a pair of wheels 6 is mounted on both lower end portions of the pillars 5 via bearings 7 rotatable about a vertical axis.

Reference numerals 8a and 8b denote a pair of upper and lower horizontal frames attached to the lower end and the upper end of each of the columns 3 in parallel with the pillars 5, respectively. Of these, the horizontal frame 8a on the lower end side of the column 3 is positioned above the connection position with the lower bar 2 and
Attached to, so that, between the pillar 5 and the lateral frame 8a, at the side of the lower bar 2, the space S ₁ is formed.

The ends of the horizontal frames 8a and 8b are connected to each other by a pair of vertical frames 8c erected in parallel with the columns 3, and the columns 3a and 8b and the vertical frames 8c connect the columns 3a and 8b to each other.
Across a space S ₂ formed between the frame 8 to form a rectangular frame is formed. Reference numeral 9 denotes a vertical frame 8
The handle protrudes from both sides of the frame 8 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the frame 8.

[0012] reference numeral 10, the posts 3 and the frame 8, the space S ₂ side, a plurality of rails mounted at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the pillar 5 and parallel and column 3.
Each of the rails 10 has an L-shaped cross section, and is detachably attached to the column 3 and the frame 8 by attaching the center portion to the column 3 and both ends to the vertical frame 8c by screws or the like. .

Here, the distance between the rails 10 facing each other across the space S ₂ is set to be substantially the same as the width of the flat rectangular tray 12 to be conveyed. On the other hand, the distance between the upper and lower rails 10 is arbitrary,
When conveying the tray 12 on which the tray 12 is placed, it is necessary to set this interval to be larger than the height of the tableware 13 including the tray 12.

[0014] Reference numeral 11 is a protective member attached from the space S ₂ side to the side surface of the pillar 5, the protective member 11, the side facing the space S ₂ side, projecting into the space S ₂ side of the rail 10 Is set to The lower bar 2 or the protection member 11 constitutes the transport vehicle 1.

Next, a method of using the carrier 1 having the above configuration will be described below. When transporting the tray 12 on which the tableware 13 is placed, first, the tray 12 is
As shown by the middle arrow A _1, is inserted horizontally into the space S ₂ from the longitudinal end side of the transport vehicle 1. Then, both ends of the tray 12, by placing each of the L-shaped portion of the rail 10 facing each other across the space S _2, the tray 12, from both ends horizontally by the rail 10 in the space S ₂ support Then, the user holds the handle 9 and moves the carrier 1. When taking out the tray 12, the tray 12 may be pulled out while sliding on the rail 10.

Further, the rail 10 because it is extended to the right and left directions around a post 3, as shown in FIG. 1 arrow A _2, the tray 12 from the longitudinal end side of the opposite-side space S ₂ And the tray 12 may be supported by the rail 10. That is, in the transport vehicle 1 of the present invention, since the tray 12 can be inserted / removed from both left and right directions, the tray 12 can be easily inserted / removed.

Further, in the transport vehicle 1 having the above configuration, the plurality of transport vehicles 1 can be stored in a small space when not in use. The storage method will be described below. The storage state of the transport vehicle 1 is shown in FIGS. As described above, in the case of the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention, the pillar 5 and the frame 8 are respectively connected to the pillar 3 below and above the lower bar 2, and as a result, between the pillar 5 and the frame 8. Is
A space S ₁ is formed on the side of the lower bar 2. Further, between the opposed struts 3 and the frame 8, the space S ₂ is formed.

Therefore, in the carrier 1 according to the present invention, FIG.
As shown in, by the relative movement between the transport vehicle 1, the frame 8, is inserted together into the space S ₂ of another guided vehicle 1, the lower bar 2, in the space S ₁ of another guided vehicle 1 Can be inserted into each other. Then, the lower bar 2 and the upper bar 4, and the outer side surface of the pillar 5 and the protection member 11
By inserting the frame 8 and the lower bar 2 into the spaces S ₂ and S ₁ of the respective transport vehicles 1 until the side surfaces of the transport vehicles 1 abut against each other, the unused transport vehicles 1 can be placed in a relatively narrow space. Is stored in In FIG. 3, the portion indicated by reference numeral P on the left side shows the situation in a top view. in this case,
It can be seen that the two transport vehicles 1 are stored in the space of almost one vehicle.

Further, in the carrier 1 according to the present invention, the space S
_As long as the frame 8 of the new transport vehicle 1 can be inserted into ₂ , ₂ or more transport vehicles 1 can be stored by repeating the above operation. In the case of FIG. 3, by inserting the frame 8 of the new transport vehicle 1 indicated by the reference symbol Q on the right side into the space S _{2 of} the two stored transport vehicles 1 as shown by the arrow B, 3 The first carrier 1 is stored.
By the way, in the example of FIG.
It can be stored in the space of the car.

[0020] Incidentally, the space S ₂ protection from the space S ₂ side to the side surface of the pillar 5 member 11 is attached, and the protective member 11
The side surfaces facing side protrudes in the space S ₂ side of the rail 10, with the storage, transport vehicle 1 first protective member 11
Contact each other. As a result, breakage of the transport vehicle 1 (particularly, the rail 10) due to contact between the transport vehicles 1 is prevented by the presence of the protection member 11. Further, as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 3, when the transport vehicle 1 is inserted from an oblique direction,
Protecting member 11, thereby preventing damage to the rail 10 also functions as a guide rail for linearly moving the transport vehicle 1 in the space S ₂ of another guided vehicle 1.

As described above, according to the carrier 1 of the present invention,
Since the parking space of the transport vehicle 1 when not in use is relatively reduced, the increase in the parking space due to the increase in the transport vehicle 1 is also suppressed. As a result, according to the carrier 1 of the present invention,
The following use of the transport vehicle 1 becomes possible.

First, at the time of lower set, using the transport vehicle 1 of the present invention, the tray 12 on which the tableware 13 after feeding is placed is mounted and transported to the washing place. In this case, since it is not necessary to control the temperature of the tableware 13, there is no problem even if a transporting vehicle such as the transporting vehicle 1 of the present invention which does not have a temperature refrigeration function is used.

On the other hand, except when the lower table is set, the transport vehicle 1 is stored in a predetermined parking space as shown in FIG. 3 and, for example, at the time of serving, the serving is performed using another dedicated transport vehicle. That is, the above method is characterized in that the carrier 1 of the present invention is used exclusively for the lower table, and the carrier 1 is stored in a predetermined parking space except during the lower table. According to this method, the carrier 1 dedicated to the lower table is stored in a relatively narrow parking space. Presence is not an obstacle, and a large parking space is not required.

Therefore, even when a large-sized transport vehicle having a heating / cooling function is used at the time of serving, a relatively large space can be prepared. Thus, according to the above method, even in a limited space, it is possible to use separate transport vehicles for serving and lower tables, and when introducing a large transport vehicle for serving. It is easy to secure a parking space. In addition, since a dedicated carrier is used for each of the serving table and the lower table, it is advantageous in terms of sanitary management. Of course, it is also possible to use the transport vehicle 1 of the present invention separately for exclusive use of the lower set and for exclusive use of the set.

For the purpose of facilitating the transportation of the serving truck 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the serving truck 1 may have a structure that can be disassembled and assembled. In the case of FIG. 4, during transportation, the serving truck 1 includes a pair of side frame assays 20 (only one of which is shown in the figure) including the columns 3, the pillars 5, the frame 8, and the protective member 11, and the lower bar 2, It is disassembled into an upper bar 4, wheels 6, and rails (not shown). At the time of use, the lower bar 2 and the upper bar 4 are attached to the side frame assay 20 with screws 21 and 22, respectively. Assembled by attaching rails.

[0026]

As described above, according to the carrier of the present invention, the parking space when not in use can be relatively reduced. That is, by using the transport vehicle of the present invention, an increase in parking space due to an increase in transport vehicles is suppressed, and as a result, even in a limited space,
It becomes possible to use a dedicated carrier for each of the serving table and the lower table.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view showing an example of the structure of a transport vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view showing a storage state of the carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a storage state of the carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view showing a disassembled state of the carrier according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tray conveyance vehicle (conveyance vehicle) 2 Lower bar 3 Prop 5 Leg 6 Wheel 10 Rail 11 Protective member 12 Tray 13 Tableware S ₁ Space formed between leg and horizontal frame S ₂ Formed between columns space

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Utility Model Sho-56-125745 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Hei 1-108240 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho-54-85657 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho-60 175129 (JP, U) Fully open 1979-69431 (JP, U) Fully open 7-3379 (JP, U) Fully open 63-194636 (JP, U) Fully open 60-176632 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47B 31/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tray transporting vehicle for transporting a flat rectangular tray, comprising a column-shaped, horizontally extending lower bar, standing on both ends of the lower bar, and A pair of struts respectively connected to both ends of the lower bar in a state of protruding below the lower bar, forming a column shape, and extending horizontally below the struts so as to be orthogonal to the lower bar, and having a central portion. A pair of pillars respectively connected to the lower end of the pillar at the portion, and wheels attached below these pillars,
Above the connection position of the lower bar of the support, the tray is attached at regular intervals in parallel with the pillar and along the longitudinal direction of the support, and supports the tray horizontally inserted between the supports from both ends. A plurality of pairs of rails to be inserted into the space formed between the pillars and the rails, by inserting the lower bar of the other tray transport vehicle, the plurality of tray transport vehicles, A tray transport vehicle, wherein the rails can be stored in a space formed between the columns of the individual tray transport vehicles while the rails are inserted into each other. 2. A protection member protruding from the rail toward the opposed pedestal side is attached to a side surface of the pedestal facing the opposed pedestal side. The tray carrier described. 3. The tray transporting vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a vertical interval between the rails attached to the column can be changed. 4. A method of using a tray transport vehicle for transporting a flat rectangular tray on which tableware is placed, wherein the tray transport vehicle has a columnar, horizontally extending lower bar, and A pair of pillars respectively erected at both ends of the lower bar and connected to both ends of the lower bar in a state where the lower ends thereof project below the lower bar, form a column, and the lower part of the pillar A pair of pillars extending horizontally so as to be orthogonal to the lower bar and connected to the lower ends of the pillars at the center thereof, wheels mounted below these pillars, and a lower part of the pillars; A plurality of pairs of rails mounted above the bar connection position at fixed intervals in parallel with the pillars and along the longitudinal direction of the pillars, and supporting the tray horizontally inserted between the pillars from both ends. And the lower set In the above-mentioned tray transport vehicle, a tray on which dishes are placed is mounted on the tray transport vehicle and transported to the washing place, while except for the lower table, in a space formed between the pedestal and the rail. By inserting the lower bars of the other tray carriers, the plurality of tray carriers are inserted into the spaces formed between the columns of the individual tray carriers, and the rails are inserted into each other. A method of using a tray carrier, wherein the tray carrier is stored.